Thursday 25 February 2021

Links, Minor Quilting Mystery, Snug Bunny


February is moving along quickly and out rather quietly.
 Have had more gently but steadily falling snow that's been going on for days and then some warmer temperatures. Those loosened the banks of icy snow on our roof and that came down in a series of crashes that sounded like thunder. Where it all landed on the front steps made for quite a shoveling job, one that required Hubby's help too. In fact, we couldn't lift it...wet snow is heavy, so wound up fashioning a new set of steps out of snow. 
This old photo shows how the snow builds up on the metal roof. 
To the left of the path and in front of the kitchen window, a number of rabbits have been overnighting under that little bush, a snug little spot. You can see it in the above photo.
Lots of tracks and bunny buttons but not one photo of them have I been able to get.

Grandson and I say they look like cocoa puffs or chocolate M&M's. 😊We both puzzled about how they could be so round.

The revitalized or newfound interest in DIY projects and needlework is continuing which is wonderful and interesting. My Facebook groups are full of newbies expressing such enthusiasm that it really is contagious. 

  Folks on Flosstube are reporting massive increases in viewership with many commenters saying they are trying embroidery and cross stitch, or also crocheting and knitting for the first time. And finding it a gratifying and rewarding way to pass the time. It's wonderful to think these heritage arts will continue. 

Some links that interested me and perhaps you too.

Gathered wrote about a sew along called Floral Applique featuring all hand appliqued blocks. It looks modern and interesting and is being offered by the folks at the magazine, Love Patchwork and Quilting. Do you like this colourway?


That led me to the Ruby Star Company where they are selling this pretty panel, amongst others. I can think of all kinds of uses for these individual sayings.  I really like Done is better than perfect.

Are you a gadget lover?  I watched this video from Tula Pink where she introduced a new little gadget. These look like neat little magnet thingies, not just good as needle minders. They are quite nifty for holding pieces together for EPP or applique. I can't explain them; you'll have to watch the video to see how they work. 

Thanks to blogger friend Wendy at Pieceful Thoughts for tracking down that small piece of grey fabric with the house in the trees I could not name (HERE). It is Andover/ Makower  Scandi Trees and also comes in red. It is rare now but some still to be found on Etsy or the grey at Fabric.com. Not at all surprising that I was attracted to something Scandi as it turned out.

I enjoyed finishing two more of the Sawtooth Stars, what I think will be a long time project.  
❓Here is a little mystery...I'm using the exact same templates for all of them, also a strict (I think) quarter inch seam when stitching the parts. Why are some points or corners different sizes?? I have no idea. 


Anyway, as I puzzle that quilting mystery, I'll leave you today with Miss Murphy catching some rare sun rays.  She says she couldn't care less about quilting or points or mysteries in general. Food and walks are what really matter.  

Hope you are safe, warm and taking care of you wherever you are. 

Lots of links and things to like over at Not Afraid of ColorSo Scrappy, Quilting is More Fun Than HouseworkSmall Quilts and Doll QuiltsLove Laugh QuiltQuilt Fabrication and Brian's Home Blog.







27 comments :

grammajudyb said...

Isn’t it fun to see the bunnies. I know we have some, but spotting them in our neighborhood has been “iffy”. Just their tracks! I have no idea about the points on your stars! I think we are human and most times are not perfect! At least that’s what I think. I’m going to go watch Tula’s video, cause I love gadgets! And I could use another needle minder! Stay warm! Looking for spring!

Scrapatches said...

Good Morning, Jocelyn, we have had similar weather recently ... days of snow that did not amount to much, Then it rained in the last big coastal storm and turned the snow into half melted piles and with mudpuddle trails in the backyard. Mud season may have arrived here, but we could still get big snow between now and real spring. That floral applique pattern is gorgeous and I do like that colorway. I am happy you solved the fabric mystery. I have had similar star point differences in the past. Using a quarter inch ruler to cut off the corners before I sew to get the correct seam allowance has helped ... not every point, every time, but better. My kitties are enjoying the warm sun spots in the kitchen and south facing windows lately. May you have a Happy Thursday ... :) Pat

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love the signs of bunnies we see in the yard, too, although now I'll never think of cocoa puffs quite the same again! 😉 Your sawtooth stars are pretty! I often have the same issue with the triangle points not coming out quite the same, but I can't say that I have the mystery solved. We always think we're consistent with our quarter inch, but I'm guessing I'm probably not as good as I could be with that. Be careful with that heavy snow!

Brian's Home Blog said...

That snow is very pretty but way too much for us. We do love the pretty quilts. Hey Murphy, enjoy your sunpuddle sweetie girl.

Sandee said...

Wow, that's a lot of snow. I'm glad it doesn't snow here. It's beautiful but I'm guessing it's a lot of work.

Miss Murphy is adorable.

Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday. ♥

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I know I am not an accurate piecer so my stars do that a lot. I have not seen many rabbits around this year - plenty of birds but not rabbits.So much snow! I do not envy the clean up and glad ours melted quickly. Glad you found your fabric

LA Paylor said...

yes food and walks... she knows. I still miss my chelsea when I see Murphy... she was mini me. Once on a Christmas walk, she lagged behind while we looked at lights... I turned to see why and she was calmly sitting with a full burger and bun in her mouth waiting for a moment to bolt it down! Ack!
the real quilting mystery... why don't my seams match? luckily the eye makes them uniform when viewing... and as I'm hoping today, quilting will blend it all in

Brian's Home Blog said...

Hey, thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

Timmy Tomcat said...

Looks like you have a touch of snow like we did. Covid sure has had that good, in our eyes, impact of getting people involved in many things that we think are great crafts and art. Purrs

Jenny said...

You still have an awful lot of snow around! Sweet photo of Murphy enjoying sunshine through the window.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Oh the snow avalanche off the roof. I know some metal roofs have these things on them to prevent the build up and fall. Be safe. So many pretty fabrics. Ah a sunshiny spot makes for an awesome napping place.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks like you are getting lots of snow. Soon enough that will all be gone and green grass will appear.

piecefulwendy said...

Too bad you didn't have a snow rake for all that on your roof (yes, there's such a thing). I'm also chuckling as I see the Scandi in the red version - I think I gifted a fat quarter bundle of that line to my sister-in-law a year ago - you'd think I'd have remembered. Is it flying geese units that make up the star points? I have to watch closely when I square my flying geese or I'll clip a point.

PaintedThread said...

"Done" is a wonderful thing! We haven't seen many bunny rabbit prints around lately. Mostly deer. The stars are pretty. Miss Murphy has the right idea!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Hi Jocelyn, if you are making the star points with a rectangle and Squares you will always have that mystery. I use Eleanor Burns method for Flying geese to make star points they come out perfect.

https://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponline/ruler/Mini-Geese-Ruler-Set-by-Quilt-in-a-Day/14311 Hugs

Carole said...

Love the expression 'bunny buttons'! I've not heard that before. Lovely photos , Jocelyn, as usual on your blog. Are you handpiecing your stars? I find i get a better 1/4" seam if I do. I'm a bit hit and miss on the machine!

Nana said...

Imo loves to eat the rabbit "balls" and I always say he´s going shopping, eating candy drops.

Nana

Linda said...

Yikes that is a LOT of snow! We had a little rabbit sheltering next to our AC unit during our winter storm. He was unafraid of us, and my husband fed him a bit of lettuce and carrots. Couldn't tell much was eaten. I love reading your posts - they are like a nice cozy magazine read.

MissPat said...

We've had an unusual number of sunny days and I'm like Murphy. I like to sit in my chair and let the sun warm me up. And that sun has also melted a lot of our snow pack. There's grass showing here and there. I say you need to combine two of the things you mentioned today. Just think of your stars as wonky and then remember that done is better than perfect.
Pat

audrey said...

Sounds like you don't want to get in the way at all when the snow is coming off the roof! So interesting when our blocks don't come out the same. I've noticed the same thing through the years but then, I'm not a super accurate piecer all the time. Get way too distracted! The modern applique pattern looks fun. Just one block at a time!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I'm so not a sane quilter so don't know for certain but could the differences on the stars be because some of the seams are on the bias? Wish I could join Miss Murphy in that ray of sunshine. Woke up to the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen this morning.

The Cozy Quilter said...

Our snow started to melt this week. March and warmer temps will be here soon. We have lots of bunnies in the yard here too and they regularly leave their little piles of fertilizer alol over the yard. Murphy sure loves a sunbeam! Take care

The Joyful Quilter said...

Nice use of some pretty YELLOW scraps in those Sawtooth Stars, Jocelyn!! It is a mystery how our blocks sometimes turn out differently when using the same techniques. Best of luck determining the reason why!

Rebecca Grace said...

About the bunny poop: Wouldn't it be funny if someone made applique quilt blocks or needle work scenes, and they included the bunny poop like in real life? I see French knots or bullion knots... ;-). Love that modern applique project you featured here, too, and your fabrics are lovely for those sawtooth stars. As for the Mystery of the Varying Star Points -- I'll bet that stretching bias is your culprit. Not sure whether you are piecing by hand or by machine, but starching your fabrics will help to stabilize the bias so it doesn't stretch as easily under the presser foot.

Bonnie said...

What a nice post on what you are up to. We see a few bunnies when we walk. Luckily when we get snow it melts within a day or two. Except this year when it turned into an inch of ice after rain/sleet on snow. Now it's gone and we are having days of rain. I'm guessing some of the problem with the star points is how you overlap the two triangles. Are you doing these by hand or machine? I try hard on points but I've been known to cover them up with borders or binding! Have a quilty week.

Libby in TN said...

I've been thinking about your 1/4" conundrum and will email you separately soon.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - when I first moved to Montana, I was not familiar with metal roofs. One day, I was at a friend's house, and she gently suggested that I not park my car under the eaves of the barn - "avalanche" territory! I share your "frustration" with not being able to get bunnies on film - they are sneaky!